Page 19 of Prince of Tides
“No, you did a lot more than that,” I said, lifting a hand to pat him on the shoulder in thanks. “And if I haven’t formally said it, thank you. Thank you. You shouldn’t have had to do that.”
Though I didn’t let my hand linger for long, a wave of heat rushed out and poured fire into my body. I loudly sucked in air through my nose and turned away, fighting to try to calm my body, thankful that my thick shirt would hide my nipples, which were as stiff as could be.
One touch. How the fuck was that possible?
Behind me, Rip also took a deep breath. What the hell was going on? It made no sense.
“The red one,” I said, pointing at a sleek four-door sedan. I noted Eric’s SUV was no longer parked there either, which meant he was long gone. Thank goodness.
“Okay. And you’re welcome,” Rip said, abruptly clenching his jaw so hard I noticed the muscles popping. “No man should ever treat you how he did. You aren’t someone’s possession, and he should never have threatened you like that. No real man would do that. If I’d had my way … Well, he would’ve suffered a lot more for his actions.”
“Well, thank you for not starting a fight,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. The undercurrent of fury in Rip’s words left me a little scared. He was so …intense.
We got into the car, and while I turned it on, Rip did his best to make himself fit.
“These are not designed for people like me,” he said at last with a huff, his knees bent at what must have been an uncomfortable angle.
I doubted he would enjoy the twenty-minute car ride to the city.
“How do you normally get out here?” I asked, abruptly wondering what he drove. “Where’s your car?”
“It broke down,” he said, waving it off.
“Oh.” I noted how he didn’t explain how he’d gotten to my father’s house that day, nor did he seem inclined to elaborate further. But that wasn’t good enough. “How did you get here today?”
“It’s a long story,” he said after a moment.
“It’s twenty-odd minutes to the city, plus wherever you live,” I pointed out. “I think we have time. So, tell me, how’d you get to work?”
Rip sighed, leaning back as much as he could in the seat. “Would you believe me if I told you a magic mirror?”
I giggled. “Oh, really? Does it tell you you’re the fairest of them all as well?”
He gave me a look, making me laugh harder. Clearly, he didn’t want to talk about it, so I let it go. My father wouldn’t have hired anyone who wasn’t trustworthy, so I didn’t give it a second thought. Besides, I was justcomfortablewith Rip in a way I couldn’t explain. Even when I wasn’t getting horny from touching him, I was at ease, like an aura of peace and comfort surrounded him.
“You sure you don’t want to discuss it?” he suggested once we’d been driving for a few minutes.
“I mean, you were there for most of it,” I said.
“Talking about it can be cathartic,” he pointed out.
I glanced over at him, making sure not to look too long into his eyes. “You really want me to vent to you? Are you sure?”
Rip laughed softly. “Well, I hardly think you want my love advice, so yes, just vent. Get it all out.”
“You’re such an unusual man,” I said.
“Thanks. I think.”
I smiled. I liked his humor, too. He was funny, even if he wasn’t always trying to be. “It’s frustrating,” I said. “Not just the whole incident with Eric, the betrayal. That hurt, and it’s going to take time to get over. But I’ve been hurt before. He’s not the first guy who’s looked at me and only seen dollar bills, as pathetic and privileged as that sounds, god. No, it’s my family that’s the worst part.”
“Your family?” Rip asked. “I don’t get it.”
“They’ve been telling me for years they didn’t like him. My father even suspected Eric was using me for money, though he had no proof, even with his connections.”
“Ah,” Rip said in sudden understanding. “And now, they’ve been proven right.”
“Yeeeup,” I said, dragging the word out. “They backed me up immediately to deal with him tonight, but I’d be delusional if I said there wouldn’t be a ton of ‘I told you so’ tirades to follow.”
